Lighting fixture hanging assembly

ABSTRACT

The specification discloses a lighting fixture hanging assembly which includes a first member having a flat surface with wings that extend from opposite sides thereof. The wings include hooks at the ends for lockably receiving a lighting fixture upon insertion of a lighting fixture between the wings. Four pairs of spaced apart apertures are formed through the flat surface of the first member. A second member includes a pair of spaced apart clips which may be disposed through any one of the four pairs of apertures in the first member. When the clips are disposed through the apertures, the clips are operable to be connected to an inverted tee support for a dropped ceiling, such that the lighting fixture is disposed relative to the tee support in any one of four positions. In the first position, the lighting fixture is disposed parallel to the tee support and in the second position the lighting fixture is disposed perpendicular to the tee support. In the third and fourth positions, the lighting fixture is disposed at acute angles to the tee support.

United States Patent [1 1 Psencik [451 Mar. 19, 1974 [73] Assignee: Rangaire Corporation, Cleburne,

Tex.

[22] Filed: Nov. 2, 1972 [21] App]. No.: 303,102

52 us. Cl. 24'8/228, 52/39, 248/343 51 rm. c1. F16b 1/00 [58] Field of Search 248/228, 342, 343, 317, 248/323; 52/39, 484

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,003,735 l0/l96l l-Iavener 248/228 3,265,420 8/1966 Goodrich et al.. 248/228 X 3.463.432 8/1969 Ptak 248/228 3.51 L463 5/l970 Nute et al. 248/343 3.589.660 6/1971 Dunckel 248/343 Primary Examiner-J. Franklin Foss Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Richards, Harris & Medlock I [5 7] ABSTRACT The specification discloses a lighting fixture hanging assembly which includes a first member having a flat surface with wings that extend from opposite sides thereof. The wings include hooks at the ends for lockably receiving a lighting fixture upon insertion of a lighting fixture between the wings. Four pairs of spaced apart apertures are formed through the flat surface of the first member. A second member includes a pair of spaced apart clips which may be disposed through any one of the four pairs of apertures in the first member. When the clips are disposed through the apertures, the clips are operable to be connected to an inverted tee support for a dropped ceiling, such that the lighting fixture is disposed relative to the tee support in any one of four positions. In the first position, the lighting fixture is disposed parallel to the tee support and in the second position the lighting fixture is disposed perpendicular to the tee support. In the third and fourth positions, the lighting fixture is disposed at acute angles to the tee support.

14 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures PATENIE m1 9 m4 SHEET 3 OF 3 FIG? 9 LIGHTING FIXTURE HANGING ASSEMBLY FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to lighting fixture hangers, and more particularly to an assembly for supporting a lighting fixture below a dropped ceiling.

THE PRIOR ART It is common to construct buildings with dropped ceilings wherein air conditioning ducts and electrical wiring are located in the space above the dropped ceiling. A system of inverted tees generally supports the dropped ceiling, which conventionally comprises a plurality of acoustic ceiling panels. Lighting fixtures are then commonly attached to the inverted tees and hung below the dropped ceiling.

It is important to provide a simple and rapid technique for hanging lighting fixtures during construction of a building. Hangers for lighting fixtures have thus been proposed wherein an integral hanger member may be snapped onto an inverted tee and the lighting fixtrue snapped into place within the hanger. An example of such a device is dislcosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,589,660, issued on June 29, 1971. However, such previously developed lighting fixture hangers have been limited with respect to the position that the lighting fixture may be positioned relative to the inverted tee. Specifically. prior lighting fixture hangers have required a lighting fixture to be mounted either perpendicular or parallel to the inverted tee, thereby imposing design limitations upon the lighting fixture. Moreover, previous developed lighting hangers have often not provided sufficient strength and ruggedness of construction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, a lighting fixture hanging assembly is provided which enables a lighting fixture to be rapidly suspended from an inverted tee support either parallel to, perpendicular to, or at an angle to the tee support. The present lighting fixture hanging assembly includes two separate reinforced metal parts which provide a substantial amount of ruggedness and strength in construction, while providing ease of hanging a lighting fixture.

In accordance with a more specific aspect of the invention. the present lighting fixture hanging assembly includes a first member having a flat surface with a pair of wing portions extending from opposed edges of the flat surface. Hooks on the ends of the wing portions lockably receive a lighting fixture upon insertion of the lighting fixture between the wing portions. A plurality of apertures extend through the flat surface. A second member is dimensioned for being received between the wing portions and includes clips for extending through the ones of the apertures to enable connection of the first and second members to the inverted tee support for a dropped ceiling.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a lighting fixture hanging assembly includes a first member having a fiat surface with wings extending from opposite sides thereof. The wings include structure for supporting a lighting fixture therebetween. A plurality of apertures extend through the flat surface, with a second member having clips for being disposed through the apertures in one of a plurality of different positions dependent upon the orientation of the second member to the first member. The clips are operable to be connected to an inverted tee support such that the lighting fixture is disposed parallel to the tee support in one of the positions and is disposed perpendicular to the tee support in anotherof the positions.

In accordance with yet another more specific aspect of the invention, a lighting fixture hanging assembly includes a first member having a flat surface with wings extending from opposite sides thereof and including hooks at the ends for supporting a lighting fixture. Four pairs of spaced apart apertures are formed through the flat surface of the first member. A second member includes a pair of spaced apart clips for being disposed through any one of the four pairs of apertures in the first member. The clips are operable when disposed through the apertures to be connected to an inverted tee support such that the lighting fixture is disposed relative to the tee support in any one of four positions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and for further objects and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typical connection of a lighting fixture between two inverted tee supports for the use of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of the first and second members of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the'second member of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the second member shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the second member shown in FIG. .4;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the assembly with the first and second members attached together;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the assembly shown in FIG. 6 illustrating the wing portion of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the assembly connected in a position such that a lighting fixture will be disposed parallel to the inverted tee support;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the assembly connected such that the lighting fixture will be disposed at an acute angle to the inverted tee support;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the assembly connected such that the lighting fixture will be disposed perpendicular to the inverted tee; and

FIG. II is a side view of another embodiment of the invention wherein the lighting fixture is maintained flush against the underside of the second member.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 illustrates a typical installation of a lighting fixture below a dropped ceiling wherein lighting fixture hanging assemblies 10 and I2 constructed in accordance with the present invention support a lighting fixture 14 from two spaced apart inverted tee supports 16 and 18. The dropped ceiling 20 is supported by the inverted tee supports 16 and 18 in the conventional manner. As will be subsequently described in greater detail, each of the hanging assemblies 10 and 12 include clips which may be easily twisted to engage the bottom of the inverted tee. Wing portions depend downwardly from the hanging assemblies and 12 so that the lighting fixture 14 may be simply installed by merely snapping the lighting fixture 14 in between the wing portions. The lighting fixture 14 is then securely retained by the hanging assemblies 10 and 12.

FIG. 2 illustrates the construction of the present hanging assembly in greater detail. The hanging assembly includes a first member 22 which is interconnected with a second member 24 in a manner to be subsequently described. The first member 22 includes a flat surface 26 having four pairs of opposed angular apertures defined therein. The first set of apertures includes apertures 28a-b which are disposed on opposite sides of the flat surface 26 and are laterally offset such that the edges 29a and 29b are generally disposed along a common line. The second set of apertures comprises apertures 300-12, the third pair comprises apertures 32a-b and the fourth pair comprises apertures 34a-b. A central aperture 36 is disposed through the flat surface 26 to enable permanent connection by a bolt or the like.

A plurality of stops 40 are formed adjacent each of the apertures for abutment with the edge of the tee support after installation to firmly attach the hanging assembly to the support. A pair of wing portions 42ab are formed on opposed sides of the surface 26. The ends of the wing portions 42a-b include upturned hooks 44a-b which serve to abut against the underside of a lighting fixture to firmly secure the lighting fixture between the wing portions 42a-b. Retaining clips 46 are disposed in each of the wing portions 42a-b for retaining the second member 24.

The second member 24 comprises a metal piece having an octagonal configuration and including a pair of clips 50a-b. The first member 22 and second member 24 are preferably stamped from sheet metal. In the preferred embodiment, the first portion 22 has been constructed from 22 gauge metal, while the second portion 24 has been constructed from gauge metal. However, a variety of different techniques of manufacture and different types of metal may be used in the present invention.

The clips SOa-b may be formed according to any suitable metal forming process and include open mouths 52ab which face in opposite directions in order that the clips may be attached to opposite sides of the tee support by a simple twisting motion. The height of the mouths 52a-b is designed to tightly fit on a conventional tee support. As will be subsequently described, the clips SOa-b are disposed through selected ones of the pairs of apertures formed through the fiat surface 26 of the first member 22. The particular pair of apertures through which the clips SOa-b are disposed determines the relative position that the lighting fixture 14 is mounted relative to the inverted tee support.

Tabs 54a-b are raised upwardly from the surface of the second member 24 and are shaped to fit within opposed ones of the apertures in the first member 22. Tabs 54a-b prevent relative movement between the first and second members when the clips SOa-b have been inserted through selected ones of the apertures to the first member 22. A reinforcing web 56 is formed on the underside of the second member 24 in order to provide additional rigidity to the member. A circular aperture S8 is formed in the middle of the second member 24 to communicate with the aperture 36 in the first member 22. FIGS. 3-5 illustrate in additional detail the construction of the second member 24. FIG. 3 illustrates in detail how the mouths 52a-b of the hooks 50a-b open in different directions.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate how the clips 50a-b are spaced apart and laterally offset from one another in order to mate with one of the pairs of apertures in the first member 22. Tabs 54a-b are also spaced apart and offset from one another in order to mate with another pair of apertures through the first member 22.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate how the first and second members 22 and 24 are interconnected according to the present invention. The second member 24 is disposed between the wing portions 42a-b and is moved upwardly against the underside of the first member 22. The clips 50a-b are positioned to fit into the desired pair of apertures through the first member 22. The desired pair of apertures is chosen according to the desired orientation of the light fixture to the inverted tee support.

When the first and second members 22 and 24 are snapped together, the clips 46 maintain the second member in place underneath the first member 22. The clips 50ab thus extend upwardly above the top surface of the first member 22. The hanging assembly is then ready to be pushed upwardly against the underside of an inverted tee support, and twisted such that the clips 50a-b clip on to the base of the inverted tee support. The stops 40 abut against the base of the tee support to provide additional support. Once the hanging assembly of the invention is attached to the inverted tee support, the lighting fixture is then pushed by the installer upwardly between the wings 42a-b until the hooks 44a-b snap over the underside of the lighting fixture. The lighting fixture is then securely supported by the present hanging assembly. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 the lighting fixture is supported a few inches below the dropped ceiling.

FIGS. 8-10 illustrate the flexibility of installation of a lighting fixture which is provided by the present invention. FIG. 8 illustrates the configuration of the invention wherein clips 50a-b are disposed through apertures 32a-b and the flat surface 26 of the first member 22. Tabs 54a-b are then disposed through apertures 28a-b in the first member 22. When the hanging assembly has been clipped over the base of an inverted tee support, as indicated by the dotted parallel lines, and the lighting fixture installed between the wing portions 42a-b, the lighting fixture is orientatd parallel to the inverted tee support.

FIG. 9 illustrates the connection of the hanging assembly such that the clips 50a-b are disposed through apertures30a-b and the tabs 54a-b are disposed through apertures 34a-b. In this configuration of the hanging assembly, the lighting support will be supported at an acute angle of 45 to the inverted tee as indicated by the parallel dotted lines. Alternatively, if the second member 24 is oriented relative to the first member 22 such that the clips 50a-b are disposed through apertures 34ab, the lighting fixture may be oriented at a position perpendicular to the position illustrated in FIG. 9.

FIG. 10 illustrates a connection of the present handing assembly such that clips 50a-b are disposed through apertures 28ab and tabs 54a-b disposed through the apertures 32a-b. In this configuration of the invention, the lighting fixture will be maintained perpendicular to the base of the inverted tee support, as indicated by the dotted lines of the drawing.

FIG. 11 illustrates another embodiment of the invention wherein the wing portions 42a-b are constructed considerably shorter than the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-10. Thus, when the present assembly is attached and a lighting fixture inserted between the wing portions, the lighting fixture will be supported flush against the dropped ceiling.

It will thus be seen that the present lighting fixture hanging assembly enables a lighting fixture to be supported below an inverted tee support at any one of a number of different angles. It will be understood that additional apertures could be defined through the first member 22 to provide still more hanging angles for the lighting fixture. Because of the provision of two thicknesses of metal for attachment to the inverted tee support, a substantial amount of strength and rigidity is provided to the present hanging assembly.

Whereas the present invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various changes and modifications will be suggested to one skilled in the art, and it is intended to encompass such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A lighting fixture hanging assembly comprising:

a first member having a flat surface.

a pair of wing portions extending from opposed edges of said fiat surface and including means on the ends of said wing portions for lockably receiving a lighting fixture upon insertion of the lighting fixture between said wing portions,

a plurality of apertures extending through saif flat surface. and

a second member dimensioned for being received between said wing portions and including clips for extending through ones of said apertures to enable connection of said first and second members to an inverted tee support for a dropped ceiling.

2. The hanging assembly of claim 1 wherein said clips may extend through different ones of said apertures such that said first and second members are connectable to a tee support in different positions.

3. The hanging assembly of claim 2 wherein one of said different positions comprises the lighting fixture positioned parallel to the tee support.

4. The hanging assembly of claim 2 wherein one of said different positions comprises the lighting fixture positioned perpendicular to the tee support.

5. The hanging assembly of claim 2 wherein one of said different positions comprises the lighting fixture positioned at an acute angle to the tee support.

6. The hanging assembly of claim 1 and further comprising:

snap means for holding said second member in contact with said first member.

7. The hanging assembly of claim 1 and further comprising tabs spaced from said clips projecting from said second member for abutting with ones of said apertures in said first member.

8. A lighting fixture hanging assembly comprising:

a first member having a fiat surface with wings extending from opposite sides thereof, said wings including structure for supporting a lighting fixture therebetween, plurality of apertures extending through said flat surface, and

a second member having clips for being disposed through said apertures in one of a plurality of different positions dependent upon the orientation of said second member to said first member, said clips operable to be connected to an inverted tee support such that the lighting fixture is disposed parallel to the tee support in one of said positions and is disposed perpendicular .to the tee support in another of said positions.

9. The lighting fixture hanging assembly of claim 8 and further comprising:

stop means projecting from said flat surface of said first member for abutting with the tee support when said clips are attached to the tee support.

10. The lighting fixture hanging assembly of claim 8 and further comprising:

snap means formed in said wings for receiving said second member.

11. The lighting fixture hanging assembly of claim 8 wherein said clips comprise:

first and second clips spaced apart on said second member and having openings facing opposed directions for receiving opposite sides of a tee support.

12. The lighting fixture hanging assembly of claim 8 and further comprising:

tabs spaced from said clips on said second member for extending through ones of said apertures to prevent relative rotation between said first and second members.

13. The lighting fixture hanging assembly of claim 8 wherein one of said positions comprises the lighting fixture being disposed at an acute angle relative to the tee support.

14. A lighting fixture hanging assembly comprising:

a first member having a flat surface,

wings extending from opposite edges of said first member and including hooks at the ends thereof for supporting a lighting fixture,

four pairs of spaced apart apertures being formed through said flat surface of said first member,

a second member including a pair of spaced apart clips for being disposed through any one of said four pairs of apertures in said first member.

said clips when disposed through said apertures operable to be connected to an inverted tee support such that the lighting fixture is disposed relative to the tee support in any one of four positions.

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Mci'iOY Mo GIBSON, Attesfiing Office-r 0;, MARSHALL 1mm; Commissioner of Patents 

1. A lighting fixture hanging assembly comprising: a first member having a flat surface, a pair of wing portions extending from opposed edges of said flat surface and including means on the ends of said wing portions for lockably receiving a lighting fixture upon insertion of the lighting fixture between said wing portions, a plurality of apertures extending through saif flat surface, and a second member dimensioned for being received between said wing portions and including clips for extending through ones of said apertures to enable connection of said first and second members to an inverted tee support for a dropped ceiling.
 2. The hanging assembly of claim 1 wherein said clips may extend through different ones of said apertures such that said first and second members are connectable to a tee support in different positions.
 3. The hanging assembly of claim 2 wherein one of said different positions comprises the lighting fixture positioned parallel to the tee support.
 4. The hanging assembly of claim 2 wherein one of said different positions comprises the lighting fixture positioned perpendicular to the tee support.
 5. The hanging assembly of claim 2 wherein one of said different positions comprises the lighting fixture positioned at an acute angle to the tee support.
 6. The hanging assembly of claim 1 and further comprising: snap means for holding said second member in contact with said first member.
 7. The hanging assembly of claim 1 and further comprising tabs spaced from said clips projecting from said second member for abutting with ones of said apertures in said first member.
 8. A lighting fixture hanging assembly comprising: a first member having a flat surface with wings extending from opposite sides thereof, said wings including structure for supporting a lighting fixture therebetween, a plurality of apertures extending through said flat surface, and a second member having clips for being disposed through said apertures in one of a plurality of different positions dependent upon the orientation of said second member to said first member, said clips operable to be connected to an inverted tee support such that the lighting fixture is disposed parallel to the tee support in one of said positions and is disposed perpendicular to the tee support in another of said positions.
 9. The lighting fixture hanging assembly of claim 8 and further comprising: stop means projecting from said flat surface of said first member for abutting with the tee support when said clips are attached to the tee support.
 10. The lighting fixture hanging assembly of claim 8 and further comprising: snap means formed in said wings for receiving said second member.
 11. The lighting fixture hanging assembly of claim 8 wherein said clips comprise: first and second clips spaced apart on said second member and having openings facing opposed directions for receiving opposite sides of a tee support.
 12. The lighting fixture hanging assembly of claim 8 and further comprising: tabs spaced from said clips on said second member for extending through ones of said apertures to prevent relative rotation between said first and second members.
 13. The lighting fixture hanging assembly of claim 8 wherein one of said positions comprises the lighting fixture being disposed at an acute angle relative to the tee support.
 14. A lighting fixture hanging assembly comprising: a first member having a flat surface, wings extending from opposite edges of said first member and including hooks at the ends thereof for supporting a lighting fixture, four pairs of spaced apart apertures being formed through said flat surface of said first member, a second member including a pair of spaced apart clips for being disposed through any one of said four pairs of apertures in said first member, said clips when disposed through said apertures operable to be connected to an inverted tee support such that the lighting fixture is disposed relative to the tee support in any one of four positions. 